Sedum spectabile 'Rockstar' is a standout upright stonecrop with compact habit and brilliant pink flower heads that bloom in dense domed clusters from late summer into fall. Its sturdy stems resist flopping even in rich soil and its fleshy blue green leaves provide excellent texture throughout the growing season. 'Rockstar' is a pollinator favorite and maintains a strong garden presence even through winter as its seed heads persist.
Height & Spread: 18 - 24 in x 18 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Well drained, moderately fertile soil
Watering Needs: Low; thrives in dry to average conditions once established
Deer Resistance: Unpalatable to deer and rabbits due to succulent leaves
Native Status
Although Sedum spectabile is native to Asia, it has been widely cultivated and naturalized in parts of North America. 'Rockstar' is a selected variety bred for enhanced garden performance and ornamental appeal.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- Highly attractive to honeybees and native bees like sweat bees and bumblebees, especially in late summer when other blooms fade.
Butterflies
- Draws fall flying butterflies including Painted Ladies, Monarchs, and Sulphurs that feed on its abundant nectar.
Beneficial Insects
- Flat flower heads provide foraging for hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control garden pests.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 18 - 24 in apart to allow air circulation and accommodate clump expansion.
Landscape Placement:
- Ideal for sunny borders, xeriscapes, and pollinator gardens where its bold color and structure anchor plantings well into fall.
Companion Plants
- Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' - Bright golden blooms create a vibrant base and low mounding structure beneath taller companions.
- Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' - Adds movement and fine texture with reddish tinged foliage that echoes the tones of sedum blooms.
- Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' - Offers sturdy upright growth and daisy shaped blooms that contrast beautifully with the rounded sedum flower heads.
- Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue' - Its cool blue grassy foliage pairs cleanly with sedum’s thick leaves and provides contrast in color and texture.
- Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' - Vertical purple flower spikes add height and attract pollinators throughout the growing season.